Parents Say Cooking With Kids Takes Too Much Time

Kids Want To Be Somewhere Else

While four in five mums and dads know cooking with their kids is a good way to pass on healthy eating habits, not enough are finding the time.

More than half think it’s quicker and easier to make meals alone and close to a third think their kid would rather be somewhere else according to Medibank.

Many admit technology and late nights at work are a distraction too.

The findings have been released to coincide with the launch of Medibank Healthy Kids – an interactive online platform that allows families to access the successful Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation (SAKGF) program.

“We know parents are busier than ever and it’s hard to fit everything in. That’s why we’ve joined forces with our longstanding partner Medibank to expand our successful school program into Aussie homes, and make it easier for parents and children to learn about healthy food education together,” Ms Alexander said.

“By making small changes such as simply spending more time preparing and eating fresh meals together as a family, parents can help kick-start good habits and switch mindsets about healthy eating amongst their young ones,” Ms Alexander said.

Although parents are finding it difficult to find time to cook with their children, the research revealed that they haven’t given up trying to make it happen. More than half (54 per cent) of primary school children currently help their parents prepare a meal at least once a week, up from just 48 per cent last year.

Medibank Clinical Director Dr Sue Abhary said, “We know there’s still work to be done to ensure we’re instilling good eating habits in our children. With one in four Australian children overweight or obese1, it’s clear that schools, parents and communities need to join together to improve the health outcomes of our children.”

“We know it can be difficult juggling the demands of family and work, and the new Healthy Kids site makes it easy to access simple, healthy recipes that are suitable for families to prepare together.